Hohoho so the time has finally came... And we hadn't really do much training lol. I think the most proper training I got was the Gunung Besar Hantu hike? Other than that, I only went to Bukit Gasing twice and some running. I'm not a physically active person. Before I finish my PRP, I hardly do any exercise and outdoor activities. It's not that I don't like outdoor activities, in fact I remember I liked to go for adventure as a kid. But when I grew up I also grew lazy haha. But I guess staying and working in KKB with a bunch of adventure-loving colleagues had brought out my inner adventurous spirit again.

So, if you're still thinking whether you're fit enough for the Mount Kinabalu hike, look at me. I'm basically a couch potato, only started to do some mild running 3 times a week (skipped when I was sick or having period), only did 2-3 times of moderate hiking, had hypoglycemic episodes few times when hiking Bukit Gasing, may be a carrier of thalessemia... Despite all these, I still made it to Laban Rata and the summit by the cut-off time. So actually, the most important thing is determination! And the help of medication lolol.

Pre-hiking preparation in terms of mental and physical is important. Be mentally prepared that you will have to climb stairs two whole days, even with a pair of jelly legs you cannot afford to stop or you'll have to pay a bomb to have someone to carry you down. Be prepared that you might have to hike under strong freezing wind on the top of the mountain. Be prepared that you have to sleep with 10++ strangers in a dorm with all kinds of weird noises. Be prepared that you have to start climbing the summit trail at 2AM in the dark with only the light from your headlamp. Be prepared that you may have shortness of breath like an asthmatic at the high altitude because of the low oxygen level, or even headache, nausea and vomitting.

If you can overcome these, and your health allows you to hike up to high altitudes, then just go for it! Of course, if you have good stamina it would be a plus point as the hike would be easier for you. Mount Kinabalu hike is actually not hard, it was very commercialised so the trail was fairly easy and clear. The only challenge was the hike takes a very long time and some may take a longer time to adapt to the very high altitude.

So what preparation did I do? In terms of mentally, I didn't have to do much because I didn't think I have problems with the environment up there. But physically, I needed to train more. I was really worried that maybe my red blood cell level was suboptimal or I might get hypoglycemic episode again. So one week before the hike, I kept eating beef and other foods that are supposedly rich in iron. I also made sure I brought my life-saving 100 plus lol.

It is also important to make sure you bring the necessary things but not too over because every weight counts during the hike. Before the hike, I've already research on the Internet, reading numerous blog posts about other people's checklist. In the end, I came up with my own checklist. If anyone planning to hike Mount Kinabalu, can refer my list but everyone's need is different so you may have to change some things to cater to yourself. In fact, a lot of the things I brought were unnecessary. Oh BTW I'm quite a frugal person so the stuffs I bought are actually cheap but the quality good enough for the Mount Kinabalu hike (#Tried&Tested).

Windbreaker / Down Jacket (With Hoodie) ------------------------------------ (1)

Uniqlo Regular Heattech Top (Long sleeves with turtleneck) ------------------ (1)

Uniqlo Fleece / Heattech Top (Long sleeves with turtleneck) ------------------ (1)

Thick button-up long sleeve shirt ------------------------------------------------ (1)

Waterproof thick hiking pants ---------------------------------------------------- (1)

Uniqlo Regular Heattech leggings ----------------------------------------------- (1)

Waterproof warm gloves with grip ----------------------------------------------- (1)

Thick socks -------------------------------------------------------------------- (2)

Beanie ------------------------------------------------------------------------- (1)

Face mask --------------------------------------------------------------------- (1)

Underwear sets --------------------------------------------------------------- (2)

Quick dry top ----------------------------------------------------------------- (2)

Sports legging ---------------------------------------------------------------- (1)

Hiking shoes with good grip ----------------------------------------------------- (1)

Kampung Adidas ---------------------------------------------------------------- (1)

Headlamp (With extra batteries) ------------------------------------------------ (1)

Walking stick ------------------------------------------------------------------- (1)

Waist pouch ------------------------------------------------------------------ (1)

Sun hat ------------------------------------------------------------------------ (1)

Waterproof 35L bag --------------------------------------------------------------- (1)

Rain poncho ------------------------------------------------------------------ (1)

Small towel ------------------------------------------------------------------- (1)

Sunglasses -------------------------------------------------------------------- (1)

Energy bars ------------------------------------------------------------------- (2)

100 plus (500 mL) -------------------------------------------------------------- (2)

Drinking water (500 mL) --------------------------------------------------------- (2)

Sweets

Medication (altitude sickness, painkillers, diarrhea and stomachache, deep heat rub, cold / allergy)

First aid (plasters, antiseptic cream)

Waterproof sunscreen

Wet wipes

Plastic bags

Earplugs

Tissues

3 in 1 Milo packets

Cash

IC

How I think the To-Bring-List should be after I've done the hike

This is a must! The weather is cold up there (around 0°C to 10°C). And there will always be strong wind blowing your way because there is no tall tree up there! If you can get one that can block wind as well as keeping you warm then its perfect. Waterproof is a plus point because if you're unlucky you might have to hike under the rain. I don't know about others but for me, taking out and putting on the rain poncho is a hassle. So I prefer to just wear everything waterproof. Don't ever think about letting your clothes to be wet, you will freeze to death. If your jacket comes with a hoodie then you don't even have to bring something to cover your head. I just bought mine from Taobao which was actually a Uniqlo-inspired Ultra Light Down jacket. It was only around RM70+. Of course, compared to the Uniqlo one which costs RM299.90, this one obviously is of lower quality. It is thinner because it uses less amount of down, and the down kept falling out when you're wearing it. Not to mention the colour looks so cheap like China fashion lol. Nevertheless, it was still enough to keep me warm! I prefer to keep my windbreaker jacket in my backpack during hike to Laban Rata because it will get cold when you're reaching Laban Rata. When the weather gets too cold you can just conveniently slip on the windbreaker.

Uniqlo Regular Heattech Top

I think there's no need to say again as many other people have, Uniqlo Heattech is good. You don't have to wear so many layers and weigh yourself down. Uniqlo Heattech is super thin, super light but warm. Although it's quite on the pricier side but it's worth it I tell you. You'll lose flexibility and dexterity if you wear layers and layers of thick winter clothes.

Make sure it's long sleeve, and if it comes with turtle neck, then you don't have to bring a scarf)

Uniqlo Fleece / Heattech Top

I wore one more layer of Heattech but this one is thicker. This one is also long sleeve with turtleneck.

Thick button-up long sleeve shirt

I didn't have to use this at all just brought as extra just in case I couldn't stand the cold. You can bring an extra layer for safety but I suggest to bring a button-up / jacket for easy put on.

I bought this from Taobao also. It's lined with fleece and it's waterproof. Did its job well.

Uniqlo Regular Heattech Leggings

I wore a very thin layer of Heattech leggings underneath my hiking pants. Didn't know whether it's necessary but its so thin and light that it didn't matter.

Waterproof warm gloves with grip

This is also a must! Without gloves your hands would have prickly pain because of the cold wind. Make sure to get a pair with good grip because at some parts of the summit hike you have to use your hands to hold on to ropes. Waterproof is better because there's mist up there and if the mist seeps into your gloves then gg you cannot feel your hands liao. Mine was a pair of motorcyclist gloves for winter use from Taobao again lol. It's lined with fleece so its warm enough but not too thick like skiing gloves so I still have dexterity. It also has PVC layer on the palm for the grip and its waterproof!

To conclude: Waterproof, warm, thin and light with good grip.

Wear a thick socks to prevent blisters on your feet and to keep warm. I brought an extra pair in case there's rain and my socks become wet.

Beanie

Bought mine from Taobao. Actually beanie was not necessary because my windbreaker's hoodie was sufficient to protect my head from the wind.

Face mask

Depends on people but this was vital for me. The air during the summit hike was cool and dry so the face mask was vital to protect my face and nostrils. I used it to cover my nose and mouth all the time except when taking pictures lol.

Underwear sets

I bought two sets just in case if the one I wore first becomes wet due to sweat or rain. But it was unnecessary as there's almost no sweat at all because the weather was so cold and dry and even if it rains, your underwear will hardly get wet because it's inner wear duh.

Quick-dry top

I brought 2 sets (same reason as underwear sets) but yeah... one set is enough if you wear waterproof windbreaker.

Sports legging

This is for the hike to Laban Rata. Shorts, leggings or pants, up to you... I personally prefer leggings because it's thinner and lighter than pants, but still provides coverage for whole leg to protect from scratches.

Hiking shoes with good grip

I guess a normal sports shoes can work also... but I think to be safe wear a pair of hiking shoes because hiking shoes are made for rough terrains therefore more durable. Make sure to get a lightweight and with rubber sole one. I bought mine for RM80. Really liked its grip. Oh and make sure your shoes fit and remember to break in your shoes before the real hike if not you'll get blisters and sore toes. To prevent sore toes / broken nails, you might want to consider buying shoes that's one size bigger because when you're going downhill, your toes will keep pushing against the shoes.

To conclude: Hiking shoes that are lightweight, cushioned, durable and superb grip.

I want to apologise to my hiking shoes because I didn't believe in it's capability. I brought a pair of Kampung Adidas just in case my hiking shoes torn halfway or the grip not enough for summit hike. But I was wrong... my hiking shoes are good enough! The Kampung Adidas I brought was so extra... It's very heavy somemore (0.5KG)... And I didn't really need slippers to the toilet anyway...

Headlamp (with extra batteries)

This is also a must for the summit hike! You'll be hiking in the dark at 2AM so make sure your headlamp works up there and bring an extra set of batteries to be safe! Or else, you will need to rely on other people's light, which is not really enough. I bought mine from MR. DIY which cost me around RM 7 only haha. It's light is bright enough and it didn't fail me during the hike despite the cold weather up there.

Walking stick

Get at least one walking stick! Your legs will thank you when you're going downhill. Enough said. Unless you're a routine hiker like the guides, then you don't need it. Some even got two hiking sticks. Maybe two is better than one, I'm not sure.

Waist pouch

I feel a waist pouch is useful. You can put anything in the waist pouch that you want to reach easily, like sweets, energy bars, camera phones or camera.

Sunhat

At first I thought we may hike under the sun but... I don't think there's a time where I needed a hat / cap. So this was unnecessary.

Waterproof bag

Don't think I need to explain much. Get a waterproof and lightweight one.

Rain Poncho

Some say this is necessary but I think as long as you have a waterproof windbreaker with hoodie and a waterproof bag, you don't need a rain poncho. I actually tried to put on a rain poncho when there's a sudden drizzle, but by the time I finally dug out my poncho from my bag, the drizzle already stopped lol. And it's actually quite hard to put on and take off a poncho. And when you're wearing it, it actually keeps your body heat from releasing out so you will feel hot and damp inside, hmm not good.

To conclude: get everything waterproof and forget poncho.

Small towel

For wiping of sweat or cleaning body at Laban Rata. Not necessary because as I said, no sweat.

Sunglasses

This was unnecessary because the sun isn't that bright since we started going down back to Laban Rata around 7AM

Energy bars, sweets, 100 Plus drink, drinking water

I brought 2 bars of Snickers, some sweets, 1 Liter of 100 Plus and 1 Liter of drinking water. Just enough for the hike up to summit and down back to foothill. However, the required amount of food and water for each person are different. Oh BTW we were provided with a lunch pack (a fried chicken wing, a boiled egg, 2 small bananas, egg and cheese sandwiches) during the hike up to Laban Rata). Before the hike I also had a KFC chicken burger for breakfast.

Medication and first aid 

Altitude sickness pills just in case. Some even eat before the hike to prevent altitude sickness.

Painkillers if you have old leg injuries or you're that sort of person who cannot tolerate pain much. Deep heat rub in case you get sprains / muscles cramps.

Diarrhea and stomachache pills or even gastric pills if you have sensitive GI tract.

Cold / allergy medications because most likely will get runny nose due to cold weather.

Plasters and antiseptic cream for potential cuts / blisters.

I brought dexamethasone, paracetamol, ibuprofen, methyl salicylate cream, diphenoxylate, hyoscine, loratadine, plasters and antiseptic. I only took one dose of dexamethasone, paracetamol and loratadine.

To conclude: bring whatever medication you think you need but make sure they're light and not bulky.

Miscellaneous

Waterproof sunscreen - Not really necessary as we weren't really exposed to sunlight.

Wet wipes - Not really necessary because you hardly sweat / get dirty (unless it rains)

Plastic bags - Bring a few to keep dirty clothes / rubbish.

Earplugs - Bring a pair if you want to have a good sleep with 10++ strangers in a dorm.

Tissues - Bring toilet paper roll because it's not provided in Laban Rata.

3 in 1 Milo packets - Bring if you would like to have hot Milo in Laban Rata as a drink could easily cost you RM 10++. I'm not sure how much hot water cost up there but it's definitely cheaper than hot beverage.

Cash - To buy stuff

IC - Need I say more? For identification in case you are unconscious or something.

I actually brought my mirrorless camera up and I didn't regret it. The quality of pictures is so much nicer! At first I didn't plan to bring it up because I was afraid that it would stop working due to the extreme cold weather. Anyhow, I suddenly remembered that it is still under warranty hahaha so why not. The extra weight of the camera is worth every KG after I see the nice pictures! I just hope I have taken more pictures at the summit!

OK this is my comprehensive Mount Kinabalu Hike To-Bring-List. Next post will be about THE HIKE.